53 h. ago Provence laid bare: ‘I shed my clothes and found freedom on a beautiful French island’

If you’ve ever been tempted by naturism, there is nowhere better to try stripping off than the idyllic, car-free Île du LevantThe trail hugs every curve of the cliffside. On my left, the Mediterranean Sea swirls beside craggy rocks, while flowering plants unfurl on my right. A quarter of France’s coast is lined with similar sentiers des douaniers (customs officers’ paths), which were once used to patrol the sea. The difference on this trail is that I’m wearing nothing but my backpack.Off the coast of the southern French resort town of Hyères, Île du Levant is home to the only naturist community of its kind, the Domaine Naturiste d’Héliopolis. For 93 years, this rustic Eden has lured free-spirited lovers of nature and authenticity, as unabashedly naked as Adam and Eve before they ate the forbidden fruit. On every visit, I’ve found that when people shed their clothes, they shed their pretence. Unlike traditional naturist retreats where nudity is de rigueur, Héliopolis is peppered with...

Politics

61 h. ago Starmer's migrant plan set to be sunk before it's launched: Campaigners threaten to scupper return deal with France

Only a day after unveiling the scheme alongside Emmanuel Macron, the PM was facing objections from Europe and charities that helped ground the Tories' Rwanda plan.

Events

69 h. ago Do you support the new migrant system? Take our poll and have your say

Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have unveiled a bold new plan to send small boat migrants back to France in exchange for asylum seekers. The move is already dividing opinion — is this the kind of tough action you support or a step too far?

Events

3 d. ago Sir Keir's 'smashing the gangs' latest: Starmer launches half

The Prime Minister and French president Emmanuel Macron announced a 'one in, one out' migrant swap deal which was far less ambitious than expected.

Events

3 d. ago 'What a joke!' Keir Starmer's half baked deal with France to deter small boat migrants already in peril as Tories claim plans will not put off 'a single person from crossing the Channel'

The Prime Minister and French president Emmanuel Macron announced a 'one in, one out' migrant swap deal which was far less ambitious than expected.

Economics

5 d. ago Too late to stop small boats once people arrive in Calais, says UN migration chief

More orderly migration would ease crisis, says Amy Pope as UK and France prepare to announce plan to block crossingsThe head of the UN’s organisation for migration has warned that it is too late to stop people from crossing the Channel in small boats by the time they have reached northern France, as Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron prepare to announce new measures to stop overloaded dinghies setting sail from French shores to the UK.Amy Pope, the director general of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said making safe and orderly migration possible closer to the countries people were moving from was a better approach, along with removing the toxic anti-migrant narrative that dominates much of UK politics. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago France and UK expected to announce joint plan on small boat crossings

Starmer and Macron could set out plans for a ‘one in, one out’ returns scheme for asylum seekersUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce plans for French police to do more to block small boats crossing the Channel at a summit in London this week, but a wider deal on returning asylum seekers is still up in the air.While details remain limited, with French officials still believed to be finalising what action the country can take with boats that are already in shallow waters, an announcement on new plans is expected on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago How the son of the 'fifth Beatle' George Martin is planning to sue his half brother after being left not a penny in their father's will: FRANCES HARDY

Greg Martin is sharply aware of his own shortcomings, but also feels convinced a grave injustice has occurred. 'I've always been a big personality,' he says.

Politics

1 week ago French police arrest ‘incel’ suspected of planning knife attack on women

Detention of 18-year-old man part of anti-terror police force’s first case linked to involuntary celibate movementAn 18-year-old French man who claimed affiliation with the misogynist “incel” movement has been arrested and placed under formal investigation on suspicion of planning attacks targeting women, France’s national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office (PNAT) has said.The arrest on Wednesday was part of PNAT’s first case linked to the “incel” (involuntary celibate) movement, an online network of men motivated to engage in violence against women whom they believe unjustly reject their sexual or romantic advances. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Back from the dead: can the new Fast and Furious movie really ‘reunite’ Vin Diesel and Paul Walker?

Vin Diesel says ‘reuniting Dom and Brian O’Conner’ was a condition for agreeing to a Furious finale, which will no doubt require a CGI resurrectionIf you’re a fan of the Fast and Furious franchise – and you’re only human, so of course you are – then you’ll know that Fast X ended on one of the most operatically daft cliffhangers of all time. In short, Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson are apparently dead, having been shot out of the sky by a double agent. Vin Diesel seems certain to die, having ended the film at the bottom of a dam that Jason Momoa just exploded. And Gal Gadot is back. And the Rock is back.All these threads need to be resolved urgently. And yet, Fast X was a box-office disappointment. The fourth most expensive film ever made, Fast X was the fifth highest-grossing film of 2023 and still managed to lose $20m. And suddenly the prospects of a sequel looked dimmer and dimmer. Or at least they did, until Vin Diesel stumbled across a foolproof plan to revive the franchise forever:...

Events

2 w. ago Fury as paedo teacher Jeremy Forrest plans to get removed from sex offenders' register

Former maths teacher Jeremy Forrest, who served five years in jail after fleeing with a pupil to France, has spoken for the first time to reveal his plans to be removed from the register - to the anger of abuse survivors

Politics

2 w. ago Alpine make decision on replacing Franco Colapinto as F1 team hatches unusual plan

Franco Colapinto was drafted in to replace Jack Doohan but has also struggled to perform, as Alpine mull over their driver options alongside Pierre Gasly for their Formula 1 future

Politics

3 w. ago Scottish golfer shoots 'unbelievable 60' to boost DP World Tour card bid

Daniel Young enjoys ‘one of those days’ to finish third in Hotel Planner Tour event in France

Events

3 w. ago Ronnie O'Sullivan's snooker plans revealed by manager after relationship bombshell

Ronnie O'Sullivan's long-time manager, Jason Francis, has issued an update on the Rocket's plans for the new season following a troubled 2024/25 campaign on and off the table

Events

3 w. ago Government pledges £900m of sport investment in boost to Euro 2028 and Tour de France plans

Investment will also be made to upgrade grassroots facilities

Economics

3 w. ago DCMS announces £900m funding for grassroots sport and major events including Euros and Tour de France

The government has promised to make significant investment in hosting global sporting competitions over the next four years

Economics

3 w. ago British, German and French foreign ministers plan meeting with Iranian counterpart

The meeting in Geneva would be the first face-to-face diplomatic communication with Iran since Israel’s attackThe foreign ministers of the UK, France and Germany are planning to meet the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in what could represent a potential diplomatic breakthrough after five days of Israeli bombing.The meeting is due to take place in Geneva on Friday but final confirmation from Tehran is still pending; if confirmed it would represent the first face-to-face diplomatic meeting since Benjamin Netanyahu launched Israel’s attack on Iran’s military and nuclear sites. Continue reading...

Politics